Domaine de la Vougeraie : Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Clos de Thorey" Monopole 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Clos de Thorey" Monopole 2021 from Domaine de la Vougeraie

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance unveils a dense ruby color with pronounced purple reflections, testifying to a refined extraction and an elegant tannic structure.

Nose

The nose reveals a precise and complex expression, unveiling aromas of black cherry, blackberry and violet. These fruity and floral notes are accompanied by subtle touches of vanilla, sweet spices and forest floor, brought by a delicate ageing in oak barrels. With aeration, the bouquet evolves towards nuances of toasted almond and licorice.

Palate

On the palate, this wine seduces with its silky and fleshy texture, supported by a lively acidity characteristic of the 2021 vintage. The fine and silky tannins harmoniously structure the palate without imposing astringency. The balance between freshness, concentration and elegance extends to a persistent finish, marked by a distinctive signature of tomato leaf and licorice, a true imprint of the Clos de Thorey terroir.

Food and wine pairings

The Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Clos de Thorey" Monopole 2021 pairs beautifully with a roasted veal chop or a beef steak. It also enhances game preparations such as jugged hare or quail stuffed with morels. For a refined end to a meal, this wine pairs perfectly with washed-rind cheeses such as Époisses de Bourgogne or Soumaintrain.

Service and cellaring

The Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Clos de Thorey" Monopole 2021 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature of 16 to 18°C. Aeration for approximately 45 minutes before serving, by decanting or simply opening the bottle, allows the wine to fully reveal its aromatic palette. This wine can be appreciated now but will continue to evolve gracefully until around 2036, progressively developing its mineral complexity.

A refined and tense Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru, expression of a Burgundian biodynamic monopole

The estate

Created in 1999 by Jean-Charles and Nathalie Boisset, Domaine de la Vougeraie is established in Premeaux-Prissey, in Burgundy, between the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune. Today, the estate extends over approximately 44 hectares distributed across 72 plots covering 37 different appellations, including nine Grand Crus and four prestigious monopoles. A pioneer of biodynamic viticulture in Burgundy, the estate obtained Demeter certification in 2011 for all of its vines. Under the general management of Sylvie Poillot since 2017 and the oenological guidance of Camille Leynaud-Prince, Domaine de la Vougeraie ranks among the most respected producers in the region, recognized with five stars by the Bettane+Desseauve guide.

The vineyard

The Clos de Thorey is a 3.0771-hectare monopole located at the southern end of Nuits-Saint-Georges, close to the Combe de la Serrée. Surrounded by stone walls dating from the 18th century, this vineyard benefits from optimal full south exposure. The deep soils, composed of brown clay mixed with active limestone, present characteristic elements such as "têtes de mouton" (rounded limestone blocks) and marls containing oyster fossils testifying to ancient Jurassic seas. The vineyard includes vines planted in 1975 in the lower parts and a replanting from 2013 in the higher parts. Cultivated biodynamically with a high density of 13,600 vines per hectare, Clos de Thorey expresses a distinctive minerality and remarkable complexity.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy was marked by refined and tense conditions. After a rigorous winter with frost episodes, spring allowed for flowering at the end of May. The months of June and July proved particularly rainy, followed by meteorological instability between mid-July and mid-August. These conditions favored the production of elegant wines, characterized by their freshness, tension and finesse rather than by power or concentration. The 2021 vintage is considered exceptional, producing wines of great aromatic precision.

Winemaking and ageing

The harvest of the Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Clos de Thorey" Monopole 2021 was carried out manually, with rigorous sorting of the grapes placed in small crates. Winemaking began with a cold pre-fermentation maceration for five days at 12-15°C, favoring aromatic extraction and color. Only 5% whole bunches were kept, the rest being partially destemmed. Fermentation took place with indigenous yeasts, without the addition of enzymes, with a total maceration of 18 days and gentle daily pumping over. After pressing in a traditional vertical press, the wine was aged for 16 months in oak barrels from the Cîteaux and Tronçais forests, including 30% new wood. Ageing was conducted without fining or excessive filtration, with racking by gravity and bottling according to the biodynamic lunar calendar.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir